Hansen and Iversen Seize Moment to Claim First European Title

Sometimes a regatta can come down to a moment, and for Jena Hansen and Katja Iversen they seized the moment and claimed their first ever European title.  The Danish duo trailed Italians and reigning European Champions Giulia Conti and Francesca Clapcich by four points entering the medal race, meaning they had to beat the Italians […]

Both 2015 European Champions Poised to Repeat

It was a scramble for both Gold fleets on Day 5 of the European Championships as few teams managed consistency through the day due to the inconsistent winds.  Back on shore as teams discussed the racing, mostly befuddled, the old boys coaches union brought out expressions like “Barcelona Banana” from the days of the 1992 […]

Spaniards on a Roll – An Armada In the Making

Tamara Echegoyen emerged as an afterthought in London to claim the Gold medal in the women’s Match racing in 2012.  The pundits all promoted their favorites, some of the biggest names in the sport of sailing but Echegoyen was unflappable and beat them all to claim gold.  Teaming up with Berta Betanzos, a 470 World […]

On the Bubble to Gold

It was a stressful final day of qualifying for the 72 boat 49er fleet, only 25 of whom can make gold fleet.  With seven of ten scheduled races completed there were still more than 20 teams on the bubble hoping to sail well enough to keep their hopes alive.  The conditions were a combination of […]

Sunsational Start to 2016 European Championship in Barcelona

The super competitive 49er fleets lined up and stretched their legs as racing got under way from the world class Barcelona International Sailing center. Just up the Mediterranean beaches from where the 1992 Olympics were held, the 2016 Olympic fleet and the rest of the world chasing skirmished in the opening races. The 49erFX raced […]

Bekkering and Duetz Have a Day to Remember in Palma

It was a wonderful redemption for the Dutch team of Annemiek Bekkering and Annette Duetz at the 47th Trofeo Princessa Sofia regatta as the girls had another great day of racing, winning all three races to lead the standings.   The Dutch duo have been near the top of the 49erFX fleet for since the boats existence but a […]

49er/49erFX Worlds – Final Day, Clearwater, Florida

FIRST FX TITLE FOR SPAIN, FOURTH FOR THE KILLER KIWIS by Andy Rice   Tamara Echegoyen and Berta Betanzos emerged from a snakes and ladders final day in Clearwater, Florida, to win the 49erFX World Championships, while Peter Burling and Blair Tuke cruised to their fourth consecutive victory in the 49er World Championships.   49erFX […]

Sweden and Spain make plain sailing of tough conditions

by Andy Rice Tamara Echegoyen and Berta Betanzos leapt to the top of the leaderboard after another dominant performance off Clearwater Beach on the penultimate day of competition at the 49er and 49erFX World Championships. The Spanish team looked totally at home in the moderate to strong breezes and the rough shallow waters of the […]

Day 4, Double Domination by the Kiwis

New Zealand sailing fans have reason to be doubly happy at the end of day four of the 49er and 49erFX World Championships, with Kiwi teams topping the table in both men’s and women’s divisions.   The 2013 49erFX World Champions, Alex Maloney and Molly Meech, look to have rediscovered their world-beating form in recent […]

Third Day’s A Charm

Clearwater, FL. Day three of the 2016 World Championships in Clearwater, FL kicked off with a sunny, 4-8 knot variance giving everyone a sigh of relief and readiness. A beautifully clear Floridian day means: the Worlds has really begun! 49er The fleet rigged up and got after it early launching to make a 10am start. […]